The AFP’s commitment to the Constitution amidst political turmoil

As someone who has worn the uniform of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for decades, I have come to understand that loyalty is not just a word we recite in our oaths — it is a discipline, a way of life, and the bedrock of our profession.

- GEN. JAIME “JIMMY” S. DE LOS SANTOS

Today, in the midst of political turbulence and widespread frustration over corruption scandals, such as the flood control project scams, I find great importance in General Romeo Brawner’s firm statement that the AFP will remain true to its mandate and uphold the Constitution above all else.

This assurance is not mere rhetoric. It is a reminder of what the AFP has always stood for: service without partisanship, sacrifice without expectation of reward, and fidelity to the nation’s highest law, even when political storms threaten to shake its foundations.

During my years in uniform, I witnessed how corruption at the highest levels of governance drained not only resources but also the people’s trust. The recent scandals involving flood control projects are particularly painful to see. These projects are meant to protect Filipino families from the recurring devastation of floods — yet, once again, greed has found its way into what should have been a shield for the most vulnerable.

I was a witness to EDSA I and a participant in EDSA II, while still in active service. History is a testament that military intervention in both cases failed to arrest or even mitigate corruption. In fact, intervention was partially tainted with the political ambitions of some senior officers. Since then, corruption has slowly crept into our political system, like cancer cells that have metastasized. Radical change is needed — not from the military, but from the nation’s highest leadership. Initial actions may offer modest relief, but they remain far from encouraging.